Visitors to Mesa's Riverview Park have been doing double-takes after spotting what appear to be alligators lurking in the waters. But there's no need for alarm – these reptilian imposters are actually clever decoys, designed to help local wildlife and drum up a bit of intrigue among the community.
As first reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, these foam gators are the latest ploy by the Mesa Parks Department to provide basking spots for the park's turtle population. Yet it's not just turtles that are enjoying the new installations – ducks have been seen cozying up to the faux predators as well. And while the story of real alligators once roaming the area is part of local folklore, the current inhabitants are entirely harmless.
The idea has captured the attention of park visitors, with one telling FOX 10 Phoenix, "Somebody posted it and they stay said that it was right here at the lake, so we pulled up, and we’re kinda just like wondering, like, what is it, you know." This interest harks back to an era when real alligators were actually a thing in Mesa during the 1950s and 60s. Shannon Maki from the Mesa Historical Museum recounted the tale of local police and the Arizona Humane Society rounding up the reptiles once the business was abandoned.
Explaining the reasoning behind the fake predators, Andrea Moore, Mesa Parks and Recreation Director, told 12News, "We have about 30 turtles here, and they didn’t have a way to get out and get back into the lake to warm up. The islands and the alligators help them do that.” Beyond providing a sunning spot for turtles, these fake alligators are turning heads and sparking conversations among the community, with Moore adding, “It’s fun. It’s something for people to talk about and they’re certainly doing that."
Even with these gators being as inanimate as a log, they've managed to become local 'celebrities' at Riverview Park – proving that even a bit of foam can become the talk of the town if it's shaped like one of nature’s most formidable beasts.
